Hi. Did anyone take or feel they needed altitude meds on this trip? We did Mystical Peru many years ago (Tauck Bridges) and did use them then - but visited areas where the altitude change was pretty significant. We’re on the March 12th departure. Can’t wait!
Comments
Altitude is not much of an issue anywhere this tour goes, as far as I can remember. Never crossed my mind in preparation, but then I had no problems in Cusco, either.
You are not high enough for it to be an issue
Plain old aspirin is a pretty good altitude med. It was actually provided at our hotel in Quito, and you could get oxygen if you felt you needed it. La Paz Bolivia was the real ‘kicker’ at thirteen thousand feet up.
Viagra is now used for altitude sickness
That should certainly take your mind off of the hypoxia.
[insert joke here]
😂😂😂😂
AI Overview
I know someone who had severe Altitude sickness and next time I saw him, he told me he had been prescribed Viagra…..so all you guys out there going to Machu Pichu may not need anything extra.
Yes, Viagra (sildenafil) is used off-label by some mountaineers to help with high-altitude sickness, specifically to treat High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) by dilating blood vessels in the lungs, improving blood flow, and increasing oxygen delivery, though research is mixed on its overall effectiveness for preventing Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and it should only be considered under a doctor's guidance due to side effects.
How it works:
At high altitudes, blood vessels in the lungs can constrict, leading to high blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension) and fluid leakage (pulmonary edema).
Sildenafil relaxes these blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the body, potentially preventing or treating dangerous fluid buildup in the lungs.
Research & Usage:
Studies show sildenafil can improve cardiovascular performance and exercise in simulated altitude, with some athletes seeing significant gains.
It's used as a preventative or treatment for HAPE, a severe form of altitude sickness, with typical doses around 50mg every 8 hours for climbers.
However, some meta-analyses show inconsistent benefits for overall AMS symptoms or arterial oxygen levels, with some studies finding no significant difference.
Important Considerations:
Consult a Doctor: This is an off-label use, and you should discuss it with your doctor before traveling, as it has side effects and isn't a universally proven cure for all altitude issues.
Not for Everyone: It doesn't replace standard acclimatization or other primary AMS drugs like acetazolamide (Diamox